Soulmates Dissipate (20 page)

“How much did it cost you?” Karen asked.” First month, last month, and a deposit?” Karen laughed.

“The wonderful thing about renewing your lease on life is …” Jada paused. She struck a pose and said, “It never costs you more than you can afford.”

“Melanie has you scheduled to shoot Terrell Morgan again this morning and Reginald Washington this afternoon,” Karen said.” Guess what?” Karen didn’t wait for a response.” I have some great news!”

“Well, out with it. Tell me,” said Jada as she backed up to Karen’s desk.

“Mr. Murphy gave me a
five percent
raise and said if I really worked hard he’d consider paying for me to take photography classes,” said Karen. Jada didn’t remember ever seeing Karen so excited.

“Great news! How did you convince him to do all that?”

“Melanie told me to ask for a raise. So I did and Mr. Murphy told me to tell him how much of a raise I wanted and why,” Karen explained.” Melanie helped me to present my offer and he accepted it. Melanie also convinced me to talk to Mr. Murphy about mentoring Damien and he agreed to that too.”

Jada felt guilty because she should have done more to help Karen.” Well, it certainly looks like you’re on a roll. Congratulations! I’m happy for you and Damien.” Jada walked into her office and immediately took two prescribed tablets for her migraine.

Jada picked up the phone and dialed three digits. Terrell peeped into her office.” Hi. I was just about to call Candice.”

“Hey, beautiful lady. Are you ready to photo shoot a brother or what?” Terrell asked.

“Come here and give me a hug. I sure need it.” Jada grinned from ear to ear.

Terrell stretched open his arms. ‘You’ve got it.”

“Let’s go into the studio. They should be finished setting up by now. Candice is so excited about moving to Los Angeles.”

“I know how close the two of you are. You should consider moving too.”

“We’re shooting you in swimwear today so you need to slip into these right quick.” Jada handed Terrell a pair of form-fitting boxed-cut black swim trunks.

“Be back in a flash.” Terrell flashed a dazzling smile.

Before Jada had finished checking her camera equipment, Terrell was back.

“Was that fast enough for you?” he asked as he posed.

“Damn!” The zoom lens bounced in and out of Jada’s hand twice.” I mean damn that was quick.” The third time she quickly snatched the lens and replaced it. She really did love her work. It was the boss she couldn’t live with.

“So, did you give some thought to what I said about moving to Los Angeles?” he asked.” I know Visual Revelations is hiring experienced photographers. Plus, I know the president and vice president. Just say the word and I can make it happen. Just don’t wait too long to make up your mind.”

“I’ll give it some serious thought and let Candice know,” Jada responded.” You know everything happens for a reason and sometimes we just have to step out on faith. Even though we don’t totally understand. Everything will be all right. Hey, where’d you learn how to strike that pose?” Jada laughed as she watched Terrell bend over backward like a crab. His chest, abs, and crotch were in a perfect arch. Well, almost perfect.” Awesome.” Jada admired the view through her lens.

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” he said.” Watch this and this and this. Keep up with me now. I
don’t want you to miss my good side. Oh yeah, that’s right, all of my sides are good.” Terrell bragged and then smiled.

“You already have an eight-pack, and from the looks of it, you’ve been working out more.”

“In this business, you gotta stay ahead of the game,” Terrell explained.” Have you seen the black male models from Jamaica? They make the competition tougher every year.”

Jada nodded and raised her eyebrows. “Yes, I’ve seen the layouts. They’re hot! Well, that raps up our session for today.” Jada prepared her equipment for her next shoot.” Meet me back in my office. That is, if you don’t have to rush off.”

“Be there in a flash.”

As Jada passed Karen’s desk, she could hear Melanie over the intercom.” Ms. Livingston, I need mailing addresses for all the top-level executives in the company, including the ones we don’t see around here. I’m preparing my wedding invitation list. I’ve been meaning to ask you, would you like to be in my wedding?” Jada slowed her pace.” I’d be honored to be in your wedding,” Karen replied.

“Great, Wellington and I will take care of all your expenses,” said Melanie. So, Melanie still controlled the decision making.” My identical twin sister Stephanie is going to be my maid of honor.” There are two of them? Jada walked into her office. She left her door open so she could hear the remains of their conversation.

“That’s all for now,” said Melanie.” If I’m not here when you get the list, leave it in the center of my desk. Oh, one last thing I forgot to mention,”
Melanie said.” I’ve moved the wedding up. Wellington and I are getting married in two weeks.”

“Two weeks!” Karen said.

“Two weeks.” Jada couldn’t believe her ears.

“It can only enhance your social life, darling,” Melanie told Karen. “You know all the national and international models will be there.”

Jada was just about to slam her door when Terrell stepped in, smiling.” So what are you doing for lunch?”

“I’m going to get some fresh air. I need to clear my mind before my next shoot. Thanks for the offer.” Jada waved good-bye to Terrell.

“Don’t mention it.” Terrell moonwalked out the door backward.

Jada laughed, picked up her purse, and headed out.

“Jada, Candice is on line one,” Karen said.

“Thanks, Karen. I’ll take the call.” Jada went back into her office.” Hey, girl, you just missed your man. He did a great shoot this morning. You would have been proud.”

“I
am,”
Candice said.

“I’m glad you called. I need to book our reservations for Hawaii two weeks from today. I’m going to stay for seven days. If that doesn’t fit your schedule, let me know, but I’ve
got
to get the hell away from this place,” Jada said as she thought about Wellington’s new wedding date.

“What’s the rush?” Candice asked.

“Ms. Thang is broadcasting she’s moved the wedding up. They’re getting married in two weeks.”

“Why don’t they just elope?” Candice said and laughed. Candice always had a great sense of humor.” She’s
really
working fast.”

“That’s not all. She has an identical twin sister named Stephanie. I wonder why she never mentioned her.”

“This is beginning to sound like straight drama.”

“Well, all this drama is making me consider Terrell’s suggestion to move to Los Angeles.”

“That would be perfect. Go for it!”

“Why not? I have nothing to lose, that’s for sure. But I am concerned about my mother.”

“Your mother has more of a social life than you,” Candice said.” Mr. Hamilton has been coming to church regularly and they’re always on the road going someplace when they don’t have Jazzmyne’s kids. You’ve got to start thinking about Jada for once.”

“You’re right, I’ll do it.” Just like that, Jada had decided to move out of Oakland.” But I won’t leave until you do. And I’m going to start my own business.”

“What kind?”

“The best business, of course, is what you love to do most. And you know photography is my passion. I’ll give Ms. Melanie and Mr. Murphy some real competition. I’ve already selected a name,
Black Diamonds.”
Jada thought about the list Karen was going to leave on Melanie’s desk and made a mental note to make a copy of her own.

“I like it,” Candice said.” Sorry, but I’ve got to run. We’ll celebrate later. I love you, girl. Bye,” said Candice.

“I love you too.” Jada hung up the phone, danced, and smiled like the Grinch. She knew she had made the right decision. She could feel it. She walked out of her office and pranced by Melanie and Karen. Karen was whispering to Melanie.

“Hello, ladies,” Jada said.

“What’s she so happy about?” Jada heard Melanie ask Karen.

“I have no idea,” Karen responded.” She mentioned something earlier about renewing her lease on life.”

S
aturday morning brought the regular routine for Wellington and Walter. It was their weekend to manicure Wellington’s lawn. Wellington distanced himself from Walter. He questioned if marrying Melanie was the sensible thing to do, since his heart wasn’t in it. Walter had cast his vote in favor of Melanie.” Overall, she’s a better match. She’s well known throughout the organizations. And
she’s pregnant.”
There was no point in discussing the matter with him again.

Wellington didn’t care about any of those things, except the pregnancy. He didn’t want to disgrace his family or hers. He watchfully trimmed each hedge to ensure they were perfectly even. Why couldn’t Jada have heard his side? Didn’t she understand his confusion? His pain? It wasn’t too late to say no to Melanie. But it seemed impossible to
regain Jada’s trust. He sighed. The phone call was a welcome distraction. Wellington sat the clippers on the lawn and ran over to the patio table to answer the call.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Mr. Jones, this is Jazzmyne, Shelly’s mother.”

“Oh, yes. Hi,” Wellington said.” Everything all right?”

“Everything’s fine,” said Jazzmyne.” Shelly’s still eager for you to get the birthday present she made. She wants me to deliver it to you today. She said if you didn’t get it soon, it would be a Christmas present.”

Wellington smiled. “You don’t have to come over here. I’ll be happy to pick it up.”

“You know how children are. Shelly insisted I deliver it to you,”Jazzmyne said in a friendly voice.

“Well, if you insist.”

“Is ten o’clock too early?” Jazzmyne asked.

“Ten is fine.” Wellington gave Jazzmyne directions. “Thank you so much, Mr. Jones. This means a lot to Shelly.”

“I’ll see you shortly.” Wellington finished the hedges so he wouldn’t have to resume the task after Jazzmyne left. There was something about her eyes. Where had he seen them before?

As Jazzmyne pulled into the circular driveway, Wellington motioned for her to park behind his Expedition.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Mr. Jones.”

Wellington opened Jazzmyne’s car door.” Please call me Wellington. Let me introduce you to my friend, Walter W. Wright
the Third.”

“Wow. You have a wonderful name,” said Jazzmyne.

“Pleased to meet you, Jazzmyne.” Walter looked at his soiled fingers.” Forgive me for not shaking your hand.”

“It’s quite all right.” Jazzmyne’s brown lips curved.

“Let’s go inside, shall we?” said Wellington.” Walter, I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time, man,” said Walter.” I can handle the yard.”

Wellington escorted Jazzmyne into his family room.” Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?”

“That would be nice,” Jazzmyne said.” Do you have lemonade?”

“As a matter of fact, I do,” Wellington said.” Melanie made a fresh pitcher this morning.” Wellington went upstairs and removed his overalls. He slipped into a black T-shirt and a pair of black sweats. He washed his hands and face, went downstairs to the kitchen, and poured two tall glasses of fresh lemonade.” Here you go.” Wellington sat on the sofa next to Jazzmyne.

“Congratulations are in order.” Jazzmyne smiled. She extended her hand to Wellington.

“Thanks.” Wellington thought the handshake was odd. He felt slightly uncomfortable. He wanted to ask about Jada, but he didn’t think it was appropriate.

“So, when is the wedding?”

Wellington was in a daze.” Oh. We’re getting married next week. Fortunately, I don’t have to worry about the details. I’ve decided to leave that up to Melanie and my mother. But I’ll make certain
your family is on the guest list.” Wellington sat back on the burgundy leather sofa and moved a few inches away from Jazzmyne.

“Thank you.” Wellington watched her eyes peruse the room.” Where’s Melanie? I’d like to congratulate her.”

“She’s out with my mother finalizing last-minute arrangements.”

“You have a beautiful home. It’s filled with love and happiness. I can feel it in the air.”

“Thanks.”

“This is the first time we’ve had an opportunity to talk. I must tell you that I’ve sincerely appreciated all you’ve done for my family,” Jazzmyne said.” Specially Shelly and Brandon. They just go on and on about their Uncle Wellington all the time. That’s what they call you. It’s always, Uncle Wellington this and Aunt Jada that and Grandma Ruby and Grandpa Robert.” Jazzmyne giggled.

“So, did Mr. Hamilton and Ms. Tanner tie the knot? They seemed so happy together when they were here for dinner.”

“Not yet, but we expect them to announce it any day.” Jazzmyne smiled. Her full cheeks rounded nicely and complemented her eyes.” Let me ask your opinion on something personal,” said Jazzmyne.” I need a man’s point of view. That is,
if
you have time. I don’t want to keep you from doing your yard work.”

“I have time,” Wellington said. Thoughts of Jada weighed heavily on his mind. He hoped Jazzmyne would say Jada had asked about him.

“My ex-husband, Franklin, wants the children and me to move into his new house with him. He
claims he’s miserable without us. But I’ve moved on with my life. Franklin had numerous opportunities to do the right thing, but he never would. He couldn’t make up his mind. He was confused.” Jazzmyne sighed. Wellington noticed the familiarity in Jazzmyne’s eyes again. It bugged him. “The kids and I are happy. I’ve met a wonderful Christian man who loves my children and me. I’m thinking about accepting his marriage proposal. Now, how do you think I should handle my relationship with Franklin? He uses the children to get next to me.”

Wellington’s mind was cluttered by the words coming from Jazzmyne’s mouth. He frowned. He tried to give her his undivided attention, but thoughts of Jada were on his mind. Finally, Wellington said, “What does your father think about all of this? Have you asked him?”

“He died when I was ten years old.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Wellington looked into Jazzmyne’s half-opened eyes.” Well, I think you should follow your heart. Keep the relationship that makes
you
happy. Shelly and Brandon can always visit their father.”